Tokyo Olympics 2020: Sania Mirza Says India Has ‘Sacrificed A Very Good Shot At A Medal’ After Rohan Bopanna Slams AITA For Misleading Players
Sania Mirza recently took to her Twitter handle to express her disappointment after Rohan Bopanna accuses AITA of misleading players, government and people over his Tokyo Olympics qualification. Due to lack of clarity, she believes India might have to sacrifice a good shot at winning the medal in the mixed doubles event
Recently, a series of players withdrew their names from Tokyo Olympics 2020 due to the COVID-19 pandemic. However, the withdrawals became a gain for Sumit Nagal who was qualified for the upcoming Tokyo Olympics. On July 16, All India Tennis Association (AITA) Secretary-General Anil Dhupar confirmed to ANI that Sumit Nagal who currently sits at 154 in the ATP Ranking has qualified based on withdrawals. However, in a shocking turn of events, India’s highest-ranked doubles player, Rohan Bopanna took to his Twitter handle to reveal International Tennis Federation (ITF) never accepted an entry for him and Sumit Nagal.
He even accused AITA of misleading players, government and people over his Tokyo Olympics qualification. “ITF has never accepted an entry for Sumit Nagal & myself. ITF was clear that no changes were allowed after the nomination deadline (22nd June) unless Injury/Illness. AITA has misled the players, government, media and everyone else by stating we still have a chance. @AnurajR1” he tweeted. Now, reacting to the same, Indian tennis player Sania Mirza expressed her disappointment on her Twitter feed. Due to lack of clarity, she believes India might have to sacrifice a good shot at winning the medal in the mixed doubles event.
She quoted Rohan’s tweet and said, “Whaaattt??? If this is true then it's absolutely ridiculous and shameful.. by this it also means that we have sacrificed a very good shot at a medal in the mixed doubles if you and I would have played as planned. We were both told that you and sumit's names hav been given ..”
Whaaattt???If this is true then it's absolutely ridiculous and shameful..by this it also means that we have sacrificed a very good shot at a medal in the mixed doubles if you and I would have played as planned. We were both told that you and sumit's names hav been given .. https://t.co/h3fGkK0im8
— Sania Mirza (@MirzaSania) July 19, 2021
Meanwhile, talking about the changes over the last few days with Sumit Nagal getting a direct entry into singles and the AITA applying you and Nagal to feature as the doubles team from India, Rohan said ITF rules are ‘very complicated’ and ‘they clearly make no sense’.
In an excerpt of the interview with Sportskeeda, he told, “The AITA did change the nomination from Divij to Sumit because according to the rules, playing with a singles player is higher on the list of alternates as compared to a doubles player. But at the end of the day, we have still not qualified.”
Image source: Instagram/ mirzasaniar